ANZSCO 323412

Toolmaker

STSOLCSOLSkill level 3Assessed by TRAShortage

General information, not immigration advice. Data as at 2026-10-22.

About this occupation

ANZSCO 2022

Makes and repairs tools, dies, jigs, fixtures and other precision parts and equipment to fine tolerances for machine tools and other production machinery.

Skill level 3

Specialisations

Die Caster
Die Sinker
Jigmaker (Metal)
Plastic Mould Maker
Press-tool Maker

Unit group 3234

Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers

Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers make and repair tools, dies, jigs, fixtures and other precision parts and equipment to fine tolerances for machine tools and other production machinery, and construct full-size engineering, visual and experimental models and models for the manufacture of prototype developmental products.

Indicative skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

In Australia

AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand

NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks include

Studying drawings and specifications to determine dimensions and tolerances of articles to be manufactured and models to be constructed
Measuring and marking out metal stock and castings using various gauges
Shaping metal and wood stock using machine tools
Checking accuracy of manufactured articles and finished patterns to fine tolerances, using precision measuring instruments
Testing and modifying manufactured articles
Applying protective finishes to patterns and painting pattern sections to indicate method of assembly

Show all 10 tasks

Assembling pattern sections and shaping work pieces to specified finish
Pouring and spreading materials into moulds and over models of patterns, and building laminations of fibreglass cloth and plastic resin to fabricate patterns
Repairing broken and damaged patterns and correcting patterns to compensate for defects in casting
Constructing templates for layout and inspection

Occupations in this unit group

323411 Engineering Patternmaker
323412 ToolmakerThis occupation

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022. CC BY 4.0.

ANZSCO 2022 (the edition the CSOL uses for the 482 and 186 visas)

Title in this edition: Toolmaker, skill level 3

Major group: 3 Technicians and Trades Workers
Sub-major group: 32 Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers
Minor group: 323 Mechanical Engineering Trades Workers
Unit group: 3234 Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers

The title and groups are the same in ANZSCO 2013 v1.2 and ANZSCO 2022.

Occupation Shortage List (2026)

National rating: Shortage
Confidence: On-balance
Rated on: ANZSCO 2022

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA, released 21 October 2026. CC BY 4.0.

Possible visa options

Visas that Toolmaker may be eligible for through its skilled list placement. Being on a list is one requirement; each visa has others (points, age, English, nomination or sponsorship).

Visa	Stay	MLTSSL	STSOL	ROL	CSOL	Instrument
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)	Permanent	Not on MLTSSL	On STSOL	ROL not used for this visa	CSOL not used for this visa	LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 3
Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated	—	Not on MLTSSL	On STSOL	Not on ROL	CSOL not used for this visa	LIN 19/051, s 7(1) item 4
Training visa (subclass 407)	Temporary (Up to 2 years)	Not on MLTSSL	On STSOL	Not on ROL	CSOL not used for this visa	LIN 19/050, s 6
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream	Temporary (5 years)	Not on MLTSSL	STSOL not used for this visa	On ROL	CSOL not used for this visa	LIN 19/219, s 5(1)
Skills in Demand (subclass 482) - Core Skills stream	Temporary (Up to 4 years)	MLTSSL not used for this visa	STSOL not used for this visa	ROL not used for this visa	On CSOL	LIN 24/089, s 6(3)
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) - Direct Entry Pathway	Permanent	MLTSSL not used for this visa	STSOL not used for this visa	ROL not used for this visa	On CSOL	LIN 24/093, s 7(1)

✓ the occupation is on a list this visa uses · ✗ this visa uses the list but the occupation is not on it · — the visa does not use this list. Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, visa pages, CC BY 3.0 AU.

Average salary, May 2025

Unit group 3234 Toolmakers and engineering patternmakers (ANZSCO 2022). all employees, Average weekly total cash earnings.

	Average weekly earnings	Average age
All employees	$840.80 (estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use)	58.3
Males	$840.80 (estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use)	58.3
Females	—	—

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025: data cube 63060DO011_202505 (Table 1), released 23 January 2026. CC BY 4.0.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO (CC BY 4.0). Source: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled occupation list (CC BY 4.0). Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Search another occupation